Grief Recovery Center

Grief is one of those tricky feelings that doesn’t feel good to acknowledge or express, but somehow feels worse when it gets ignored. Facing things we regret or that we miss or that we lost is not a fun thing to do. But bottling up those feelings is actually worse.

When we move on from the grieving process too fast (if we don’t let ourselves adjust to, understand or accept our grief), grieving can be incomplete. These signs are a few ways to recognize that you have stopped your grieving processes before it was complete.

Are you dealing with incomplete grief? Learn how you can cope here: https://www.griefrecoveryhouston.com/5-signs-of-incomplete-grief/

Happy Juneteenth!

Today is Juneteenth, a celebration of freedom and Black excellence. This holiday commemorates the anniversary of the date when the last enslaved folks in the US, in Texas, were told of their freedom on June 19, 1865 - a full two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

This is a day for Black folks to celebrate and honor this history, and it’s a day for the rest of us to support the Black community, rather than to feed into the commercialization of this holiday.

How are you uplifting the Black folks in your life and in your community today?

We are never truly done with our grief.

That’s not to say that grief can never be healed, and that you will be in this intense emotional state for the rest of your life. Grief is often acute in the immediate aftermath, but it lessens in intensity over time as we learn to cope.

The grieving process means that we learn how to sit with our grief, to understand it, and learn ways to cope with the feelings that come up.

Learn more about what to expect during the grieving process: https://www.griefrecoveryhouston.com/how-long-does-grieving-process-last/

Grieving is a process that requires acknowledging our feelings. It is going to hurt. There’s no way to avoid that pain, and ignoring it will just make it worse. The way we feel has a direct impact on our mental and physical health, so it’s important to acknowledge our feelings instead of burying them away.

When you lose a pet, you may be feeling anger, sadness, disbelief, fear, devastation, loneliness, and so many other emotions. Whatever comes up, let it.

Get more support for dealing with pet loss here: https://www.griefrecoveryhouston.com/how-to-cope-with-pet-loss/

Happy (early) Father's Day from all of us at Grief Recovery Center!

Father's Day, like all holidays, can be complicated emotionally. You might even feel grief about Father's Day and the relationship you have or don't have with your dad.

However you feel on this day, it's valid. Be compassionate with yourself, and know that you're not alone.

Losing a pet is hard. It often feels like losing a treasured family member, and it’s natural and normal to feel sad, express your feelings of grief and sorrow, and need time to process the impact this loss has had on your life.

If you are grieving the loss of a pet and you’re looking for more support during the process, one of our therapists can help.

Learn more about coping with the loss of a pet here: https://www.griefrecoveryhouston.com/how-to-cope-with-pet-loss/

Pride isn't just in June! Here are some ways you can show your support for the LGBTQIA+ community throughout Pride month and the rest of the year.

Happy Pride Month!

June in the United States is LGBTQ+ Pride Month, where we celebrate and honor the LGBTQ+ community and to commemorate the Stonewall Riots that occurred in June 1969, kicking off the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Supporting LGBTQ+ people is more important than ever with attacks on LGBTQ+ rights happening all around the country. The LGBTQ+ community needs and deserves our support.

How are you supporting the LGBTQ+ community this month?

Our support group offers a place for adults looking to receive and give support to one another in the wake of a su***de.

Our group is facilitated by a licensed therapist with professional experience offering counseling and facilitating workshops on the topic of su***de prevention, response, and aftereffects.

Participating in a su***de support group can help members find a space to talk about their loss openly with others who have similar experiences and build a bond with people navigating the challenges following the death of someone they care about to su***de.

When: Every Thursday from 7-8:15 pm
Cost: $50 per session
Where: Grief Recovery Center (2000 North Loop West, Suite 100 Houston, TX 77018)
How to register: Call 832-413-2410 or email [email protected]

Learn more about this group here: https://www.griefrecoveryhouston.com/mental-health-support-groups/su***de-support-group/

Su***de is preventable. If you or someone you know is dealing with thoughts of su***de, here are some hotlines you can call for support.

Learn more about warning signs of su***de here: https://buff.ly/2UMYqnb

Congratulations to our Intake Specialist, Zakirah, on celebrating 2 years with Greif Recovery Center, and to our Practice Manager Jessica on celebrating 4 years with Grief Recovery Center!

Thank you for all your hard work, Zakirah and Jessica!

You can learn more about our staff at GRC here: https://www.griefrecoveryhouston.com/about-us/

Did you know that we accept insurance at Grief Recovery Center?

We are in-network with Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Cigna, Humana, Magellan, and United Healthcare/Optum. Clients are welcome to use their out-of-network benefits. Benefits will need to be verified before the initial appointment. We also accept private payment.

Learn more here: https://www.griefrecoveryhouston.com/therapists-fees/

Stigma contributes to misunderstandings and fear about su***de. When we debunk common myths about su***de, we can increase compassion for people who are struggling with suicidal ideation and make it easier for people to ask for help. We also make it easier for survivors of su***de loss to seek support in their grief.

There are a lot of myths out there about su***de, but these are 5 of the most common ones our Houston counselors hear about. Learn more about why these myths aren't true here: https://www.griefrecoveryhouston.com/common-myths-about-su***de/

Su***de is a difficult subject to talk about, which makes it a difficult subject to fully understand. Because of this, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions about su***de that can actually harm our understanding of what it means to be suicidal, struggle with suicidal ideation, or how to be a support to someone showing us warning signs of su***de.

We rounded up 5 of our blogs to help you better understand what su***de is, and learn to break the stigma that surrounds it. Find them here: https://www.griefrecoveryhouston.com/5-blogs-to-better-understand-su***de/

🎉 This month, we're celebrating 8 years of Grief Recovery Center! 🎉

In our 8 years of business, we've learned that everyone needs help at some point or another. We aren’t meant to go through this human experience by ourselves. No matter what you’re going through, it’s okay to ask for help. You are not alone.

Thank you for being a part of our journey. 💚 We look forward to many more years serving our Houston community!

Secure attachment is the result of a child growing up knowing that they can rely on their caregivers when they need them. When someone grows up with a secure attachment to their caregiver, relationships with others aren’t seen as a threat, they’re seen as a safe place. Instead of causing distress, close relationships offer opportunities to be seen and understood, and to safely express how you’re feeling and what you need.

The most common attachment style is a secure attachment. People with a secure attachment style feel secure in their bond to the other person – they know they can trust and rely on one another, and that helps them build healthy relationships that last.

Have you ever noticed patterns in the way you act in your close relationships?
Some people tend to react in certain ways in their close relationships, whether that’s with a romantic partner, a family member, or a close friend. Sometimes the ways you react in relationships follow a pattern – like that you tend to pull away when overwhelmed, or that you feel the need to seek reassurance from the other person.

These reactions can be traced back to different attachment styles.

Do you frequently wake up needing to use the bathroom? Can you try carrying a water bottle with you throughout the day so you can stop drinking water an hour or so before bed?

That way, there’s one less contributing factor to needing to get up to use the bathroom frequently. Also note that waking up frequently to use the bathroom can be a symptom of a larger medical issue, like sleep apnea, so it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor if this is an obstacle to your sleep.

Do you have chronic pain that keeps you up at night? Are there any low-effort remedies that help to relieve that pain?

For example, if you suffer from headaches that disrupt your sleep, you can consider a heated sleep mask to help with the pain and block out any light as you sleep.
Working with a professional therapist can help you consider new ways to improve your sleep hygiene. Our Houston therapists have appointments available now – contact our office to begin.

Our support group offers a place for adults looking to receive and give support to one another in the wake of a su***de.

Our group is facilitated by a licensed therapist with professional experience offering counseling and facilitating workshops on the topic of su***de prevention, response, and aftereffects.

Participating in a su***de support group can help members find a space to talk about their loss openly with others who have similar experiences and build a bond with people navigating the challenges following the death of someone they care about to su***de.

When: Every Thursday from 7-8:15 pm
Cost: $50 per session
Where: Grief Recovery Center (2000 North Loop West, Suite 100 Houston, TX 77018)
How to register: Call 832-413-2410 or email [email protected]

Sleep hygiene is a term that simply refers to your sleep routine and environment. It focuses on the factors that contribute to poor sleep quality that we can do something about.

For example, if you have sleep apnea, you can’t just get rid of it to sleep better. But you can make sure your sleeping environment is optimal for your sleep, adjusting for factors you can control, such as light, sound, temperature, etc.

https://www.griefrecoveryhouston.com/better-sleep-hygiene/

Feeling tired isn’t the only consequence of not getting enough sleep. While our culture doesn’t prioritize rest, it’s crucial to our functioning, and when we don’t get enough, it can impact not just our energy level but our overall health.

Read more about this on our blog!
https://www.griefrecoveryhouston.com/better-sleep-hygiene/

Sending warm wishes on Memorial Day from everyone at Grief Recovery Center.

Today, we take time to remember and honor those who gave their lives for our country and express our gratitude for their sacrifice.

Divorces are difficult, and divorce group counseling can help. The people in our meetings are all going through divorces, so most people have similar emotions. Many will be nervous and uncertain about sharing with a group.

Having similar feelings and experiences makes it easier for people to open up and become comfortable with strangers. You might even find people to email for a listening ear when you need help outside of the program.

The divorce support group listens to each other and serves as a sounding board that helps you understand what is happening to you. Having an entire group of supportive and empathetic people is priceless.

We meet weekly. Call our office at (832) 413-2410 to schedule an appointment & reserve your spot!

https://www.griefrecoveryhouston.com/mental-health-support-groups/divorce/

Because shame and guilt share similar qualities and are often felt at the same time, these emotions are often confused or used interchangeably. There are, however, key differences.

If you find yourself saying “What I did was wrong,” it’s probably guilt. But if your comments fall along the lines of “I’m a terrible person for what I did,” then you’re experiencing shame.

Being positive isn’t inherently bad, but forcing yourself and others to be positive all of the time is an exercise in futility. It’s just not possible to control the emotional landscape you reside in to that degree. Trying and failing to be happy all the time can bring up lots of shame for people who are struggling with their mental health. Some people may even feel like they’re at fault for bad things happening to them because they aren’t able to be positive all the time.

It’s important to remember that negative emotions and experiences are part of life, as painful as they can be. Without the negative, it’s harder to notice and appreciate the positive. Life is about balance, and everyone will have a balance of good and bad throughout their lifetime.

There has been some popular research in the field of psychology that shows the positive effects of mindset work. The idea of positive thinking having an impact on our mental health is real, and has been studied. What isn’t realistic, however, is trying to force positivity when what you are feeling is not positive.

While there’s nothing wrong with feeling positive if that’s how you genuinely feel, the pressure to feel positive all the time can make lots of people feel discouraged and less than.

Read more about toxic positivity and how to cope with it here: https://www.griefrecoveryhouston.com/cope-with-toxic-positivity/

Our Grief Support Group meets weekly to talk about the myths and truths associated with losing a loved one. The group offers a safe place where grieving people can share their experiences without being judged. The other members of the group listen and share learned information about how to help new members work through their feelings in a supportive way. Grieving family and friends often feel isolated, and joining a grief group offers a safe place to be with other people.

Group Details:
• When: Every Wednesday from 7-8:15 pm
• Cost: $50 per session
• Where: Grief Recovery Center (2000 North Loop West, Suite 100 Houston, TX 77018)
• How to register: Call 832-413-2410 or email [email protected]

Mental health conditions that can occur after birth include postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum psychosis. Postpartum depression and anxiety are actually the most common complications of childbirth. While these may sound scary, it’s important to know that these conditions are very treatable.

What can you do if you or your partner are experiencing postpartum depression? Here are 5 tips from our Houston therapists: https://www.griefrecoveryhouston.com/managing-postpartum-depression/

The exact cause of postpartum depression is unknown, but it appears to be influenced by a number of factors like genetics, hormone changes after birth, lack of sleep, life stress, a history of infertility, and lack of support systems. It’s important to note that none of these factors are your fault, and you’re not a bad parent for experiencing postpartum depression.

If you or someone you know is postpartum and showing these signs, it's important to know that it's serious, but very treatable. There is help available for moms with postpartum mental health disorders.

Learn more about managing postpartum depression here: https://www.griefrecoveryhouston.com/managing-postpartum-depression/
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Postpartum mental health issues have nothing to do with how much you love your baby, but for new parents it can be a source of shame. Many are afraid that it will seem like they don’t love their baby if they are struggling with depression during pregnancy or after birth, or think that their struggle means that they are a bad parent. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Learn more about coping with postpartum depression on the blog: https://www.griefrecoveryhouston.com/managing-postpartum-depression/